There is, however, one major difference between Dorato and IAMGOLD's excursions. Only Dorato had the government's permission to enter the Awajun and Wampis' territory. According to Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines, IAMGOLD did not.

Instead, the company alleges, the group of employees were on "the property of a willing third party individual," when they were told to leave, presumably, by the Awajun and Wampis.

Being noble protectors of good will and justice--something all Canadian companies are professing to be these days---the employees conceded to the Awajun and Wampis request, picked up their gear and left.

Regardless of what actually happened here, the fact is IAMGOLD should have never been on the Awajun and Wampis territory. And they would have stayed there if they were never confronted.

In effect, it is one brief example of how Canadian companies routinely operate in Peru and in dozens of other regions around the world. These companies go to great lengths to portray themselves as both victim and faultless champion, while disregarding even the most basic laws, human rights, and so-called voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards.